A Complete Timeline Breakdown

Your kitchen may have been functional and looked good back in the day, but the times call for something different: a new cabinet, a pop of colour, or a total remodel. You have the budget, but there’s something else that kitchen renovations in Toronto cost: time.

This is especially concerning for families, individuals who work from home, and pet owners. You wonder how long you’ll need to adjust the living arrangements in your house, or in many cases, arrange for temporary living outside your home.

The time it takes to renovate your kitchen in Toronto depends on the extent of the renovation, building permits, and the contractor you work with. Based on our extensive experience in designing kitchens that owners love, Ero Build has included everything you need to know about timelines in this article.

Continue reading to discover how long your kitchen renovation will last.

What a Typical Kitchen Renovation Timeline Looks Like

1 week to 6 months—that’s how long it can take to renovate your kitchen in Toronto. If you’re looking for minimal changes, expect shorter work periods. However, a full-blown remodel will span weeks or months. Here are some timelines you can expect based on your project’s scale:

Cosmetic or Small-Scale Updates 

Cosmetic updates are small, surface-level changes to your kitchen and will take about 1–4 weeks to finish. This includes designing the upgrades, ordering materials (if needed), and the construction process. Some small-scale kitchen renovations include:

• Cabinet refacing
• Painting, backsplash, fixtures
• Minor flooring or lighting changes

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation

This type of renovation is more than repainting some cabinets, but it’s not a full remodel either. Your kitchen will mainly be improved in appearance and usability, but the layout will remain unchanged. A mid-range kitchen renovation in Toronto will take 6–10 weeks and could be:

• New semi-custom cabinetry
• Upgraded flooring and countertops
• Minor plumbing and electrical changes

Full-Scale Remodel

‘Full scale’ here means a complete remodel. Your contractor will demolish your current kitchen and build a better-looking, functional one in 3 to 6 months. Don’t worry; your contractor will not be in your home for 6 months. That timeline begins from planning and designing to finishing construction. 

So, what does a full-scale kitchen remodel in Toronto involve?

• Structural changes, plumbing/electrical relocation
• Custom cabinetry and materials
• Permits and inspections

Key Phases of a Kitchen Renovation Project

Now that you know how long a kitchen renovation in Toronto will take, what exactly will the contractors be doing during this time?

Design & Planning

You likely have a rough picture of what you want your kitchen to look like in mind. This is the stage where you communicate it to your contractor. They’ll guide you through a bespoke design without compromising your desires. Most contractors will provide a 3D rendering to visualize your kitchen’s new look and suggest suitable materials within your budget. Designing and planning a full kitchen renovation takes about 2–4 weeks.

Permits and Approvals in Toronto

You may wonder why you would need a permit to renovate the kitchen in your own home. The simple answer is that the city’s regulations are tailored for your maximum comfort and safety.

Not all changes require a building permit; you won’t need approval to change your paint for instance. The changes that require a building permit from the City of Toronto are structural, plumbing, electrical, new windows, or alterations to existing ones. It’ll take about 1–6 weeks, and Ero Build handles everything to ensure your kitchen renovation proceeds smoothly.

Material Ordering & Delivery

This stage takes 2–8 weeks, depending on the material, lead time, and customization choices. If you want stock cabinets, for instance, it’ll take a shorter time to receive them than ordering a custom piece from a local shop, as you’d have to wait for it to be manufactured.

Construction Phase

This is where the destruction happens, followed by the construction of your new kitchen in Toronto. 

The demolition of your current kitchen will take 3–5 days. Installing the “guts” from plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc., will last for 2–4 weeks. The next 2–3 weeks will be for insulation, drywall, and painting. The flooring installation takes 1 week, followed by the installation of cabinets, countertops, and appliances, which span 4–6 weeks. Final touches and inspections can be completed in 1 week. In total, you can expect the renovation of your new kitchen to last about 11–16+ weeks.

Factors That Can Affect Your Kitchen Renovation Timeline

These are the things that determine whether your kitchen renovation will take a shorter or longer time to complete.

Contractor Availability in Toronto

Most experienced and reputable contractors are booked months ahead. We recommend booking your contractor ahead so they can meet the start date you have in mind. If you wait till the last minute, you may have to settle for a less experienced team. If you choose to wait for your preferred contractor to become available, you’ll lose some time.

Seasonal Demand

The time it takes to renovate your kitchen in Toronto is affected by the season. Most homeowners work on their kitchens during spring and summer, ahead of the colder months. This means contractors, materials, and permits are in greater demand, and you’ll experience longer waiting times. To enjoy more flexibility, consider starting your kitchen renovation in late fall or winter.

Surprises During Demolition

The ‘surprises’ are quite common in older Toronto homes and are one of the major causes of delays. Things like mould or structural damage are mostly unavoidable and need to be fixed once discovered. This lengthens the time for your kitchen renovation in Toronto.

Home Type

Renovating the kitchen in a condo is more complex than in a house. Condo boards have strict rules on working hours, noise levels, and material delivery. They even have an additional approval process beyond city permits. If you hire a contractor experienced in Toronto condo kitchen renovations, they’ll sort it out and you won’t have to worry.

How to Stay on Schedule

To ensure your kitchen renovation stays on schedule, book a reputable contractor like Ero Build on time. Order all the materials early, whether stock or custom, and regardless of whether you or your contractor will make the purchases. Now, it might be tempting to begin work without a permit, but we recommend you acquire it beforehand. Not doing so can lead to fines, halting of work, or, worse, demolition of the changes you’ve already made to your kitchen.

Don’t forget to create a schedule with a clear start date and estimated finish date with your chosen kitchen renovation contractor.

Conclusion

If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen in Toronto and wondering how long it’ll take, expect from 1 week of work for small-scale changes to 6 months for full-scale remodels. The timeline varies significantly, but a reputable contractor can provide a tailored estimate for your kitchen.

Be sure to book your contractor ahead of the flexible seasons to avoid any delays in your kitchen renovation. Book a consultation with Ero Build to receive your personalized timeline today.